China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment, working with 18 other government agencies, released the 15th five-year plan dedicated to climate response in late July. The plan establishes comprehensive targets across climate policy areas including carbon dioxide emissions, non-CO2 greenhouse gases, carbon markets, climate adaptation, and international cooperation through the 2026-2030 period.
The plan represents a significant consolidation of existing climate policies rather than the introduction of major new targets. Officials characterize it as the primary policy instrument for advancing China’s climate action during this five-year period. According to analysts, the plan demonstrates that China’s climate governance has reached an unprecedented strategic level, creating an all-encompassing target system designed to support the country’s Paris Agreement commitments.
A notable focus area involves non-CO2 greenhouse gases, with the plan reaffirming a target to achieve 30 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions reduction capacity by 2030. Experts assess this goal as relatively achievable through expanded coal-mine methane utilization projects and measures targeting industrial nitrous oxide and hydrofluorocarbons. The plan also emphasizes control of sulphur hexafluoride in power equipment, marking the first dedicated policy attention to this super-pollutant.
International cooperation features prominently in the plan’s objectives. China aims to markedly increase its influence and guiding power in global climate governance by 2030, while building what it describes as a new narrative on climate governance. The plan also calls for expanding the global influence of China’s carbon market through international rule-setting, cooperation on standards, and hosting annual conferences on the subject.
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